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Aug 29 2018

Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth

This week, we feature a blog by Joseph Miterko, a graduate of Berklee College of Music and member of the Ruach Israel community. It was a joy to have Joe on the worship team this year – he brought a lot of passion and enthusiasm to the group. Read about how Joe’s understanding of the Christian community was impacted by participating on the UB worship team!

For me, summer always tends to be a whirlwind, with so much going on! My summer thusfar has included conferences, work training, travel, assisting with three summer camps, and more. I am also active in my congregation Ruach Israel, a Messianic Jewish congregation in Needham, through leading worship and giving sermons regularly. Despite all this activity, I have such a sense of excitement about how God is working and I don’t have any burnout (except for an occasional sunburn ☺) – God is good in so many ways!

One of the events that I was so blessed to be a part of was the UniteBoston Worship Night in the Boston Common. Our team was comprised of different ethnicities and nationalities from churches across Boston. I discovered how the Spirit can flow through a group of amazing musicians that are willing to work together as a team, and the Spirit did indeed!

From Left to Right: Volt Jingjit, Joe Miterko, and Tom Baskett

The night before the Worship Evening, our rehearsal was held at the Berklee College of Music. As a Berklee alum, I thought to myself, “This is so cool. Who knew that I would be coming back here four years after I graduate? Not only that, but I’m back here to make music for advancing God’s Kingdom on Earth.” It felt like a great homecoming. Our music director, Tom Baskett, was a joy to work with. I genuinely enjoyed creating a fragrant aroma to the Lord with a team comprised of different musical and ethnic backgrounds. Featured were a Nondenominational Christian rapper, a Catholic singer/songwriter, a Protestant drummer, and more. We played a variety of songs, from classics such as “Come Thou Fount” to modern “Reckless Love” and everything in between, including some original compositions. A highlight was singing “Who You Say I Am” in several languages…just wow! And we even got to sing a song that is popular in the Messianic Jewish world- Psalm 133 “Hinei Ma Tov” by Joshua Aaron, which means “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)

As a Messianic Jewish follower of Jesus, I appreciated this opportunity to practice Kingdom ideologies on Earth. The Kingdom of Heaven will be made up of people from every tribe and nation, Jew and Gentile, so why can’t we start applying these principles right here, right now? Every person from every nation of the world is precious in God’s sight, and God called the Jewish people as a sign of His promises, not as a superior nationality.

It felt like as we were worshipping, God’s Hand was conducting the whole evening. I love that on a Thursday night, as people are getting ready to depart for college, making last minute vacations, and soaking in these last summer moments, God brought a committed group of musicians to praise Him, to celebrate being known by Him, and to make Him known. It wasn’t just the band either….there was a team doing outreach and evangelism surrounding the concert. They had an amazing and essential role, to say the least! From the organizers to the volunteers, everyone poured their hearts out, seeking to witness to a united Kingdom of God.

One of the greatest lessons that I learned in the worship night is that everyone matters and is so precious in God’s sight. On our own, we are limited in what we can do. But when many people come together to back one message, one hope, and one mission, this makes a strong impact. It reminds me of Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” May these seeds planted towards unity grow into something beautiful! Special thanks to Kelly Fassett, Chloe Gaydos, Tom Baskett, and many more for turning a vision into a reality.

Jun 17 2018

The Art of Gathering

This week’s blog is written by Tony Lee, who attends Aletheia church and has been involved with UniteBoston’s worship team and neighborhood dinners. As a young professional in Boston, he is interested in finding Christian movements in the city and connecting people together. Read below to hear about how Tony understands gathering as an opportunity to gain, give, and grow.

I was a UB dinner coordinator this past year and had the pleasure of hosting a few dinners at my home in Revere. I got to coordinate strangers meeting other strangers for fellowship, and make them some good food. (Note: You can read Father Tom Ryan’s experience of attending a UB neighborhood dinner at Tony’s house here.) From these nights of gathering, I’ve picked up on a few themes that can illuminate the value of gathering, and the unifying potential it has.

To gather is to gain.

Gathering comes with perks. I’ll start with the food. I especially enjoy potluck gatherings (pro-tip: hosting a potluck usually correlates with extra treats later). In college, I was on a student leadership team and remember planning events to always involve food because that was the best incentive to get students to attend. Not surprisingly, this works the same for people after college. We like food and we like to go to things where food is present.

Whenever food and fellowship combine, good things happen. People are happy, and the social atmosphere is pleasant. I sincerely believe there is more potential for exciting conversations over hors d’oeuvres than over the phone. So by gathering, we also gain relationships. Every time I invited someone into my home, I was receiving their friendship by spending time with them. These dinners are now memories for us, and a point of empathy. In summary, I got a friend, a memory, and some empathy points from gathering. That’s pretty good.

To gather is to give.

I have the role model of my mother as a great giver. She was the homemaker in my family, and the most faithful, diligent, caring person in our house. Her hospitality was more like sacrifice. So whenever we came together for supper, the spirit of giving was evident. Now I’m doing the best I can to give like her.

Hosting a dinner for a large group is a commitment. I’d get worried about food, seating, or social comforts for the guests sometimes. But out of my anxiety, was an opportunity to give. Guests also may need to prepare their sides, or travel far distances. In the process of gathering, there are opportunities for us to give, or to give up. I’m sure we’ve all been the people who show up to a potluck empty-handed, or choose not to go to somewhere because of the commute. But like anything else, we can practice giving and grow in our sacrificial lifestyle. Even interpersonally, I try to focus on encouraging or motivating others in their own esteem than dig for what they can offer me. It just so happens that we meet others who also like to give, which is how we gain. The world teaches me to take, but my mom taught me to give. I believe this is what God desires to teach us as well.

To gather is to grow.

At the dinners, we were able to gain and give to one another. We practiced this with people we knew and strangers. Of course, it can be challenging to suddenly come to a point in a conversation with someone who has drastically different ideologies than me. One time, I caught myself becoming very defensive, and had to recalibrate my objective in the moment to prioritize unity. I got some growth points from that. It’s actually much easier to live without fixating on our differences, and rather seeking out our common denominators. To do this, I have to receive someone as a friend (gain), and be considerate to them (give). Because in the end, it’s not what divides us that matter.

As Rose from Star Wars 8 says, “we’re going to win this war not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love.” This is critical. We as children of God are created in His image and have a deep connectedness that unifies us. Jesus was the model for the ideal unifier. He ate with outcasts on the margins and shared the gospel to those who needed it most. We have the same opportunities in our city. We can find a rhythm of gaining and giving, by staying open to friendships and paying it forward. There is much growth that develops from this rhythm.

I believe this is the direction our hearts and minds must go. It’s the direction of growth and wisdom. Gathering together is simply the vessel that allows us to get there, through practice and experience. But also, food can be a part of the journey.

First UB Neighborhood Dinner at Tony’s house, November 2017

Learn more about UB neighborhood dinners here, and sign up so that we can contact you when one is happening in your neighborhood!

May 09 2018

Living Out Unity: Louisiana, Boston, and other Adventures

“Poking holes in one another’s theologies is easy; what is difficult is looking at someone who thinks about God in a completely different way than I do and finding a way to see its loveliness.”

This week’s blog is written by Elizabeth M. Smith, Ph.D. Elizabeth works as a pastoral associate at Holy Family Parish in Concord and is a Catholic systematic theologian and ecumenist in the Boston area. She received her doctorate from Catholic University in 2017, and also holds a Master of Philosophy, a Master of Divinity, and a Master of Sacred Music. In this blog, she describes the journey that God has led her through in her understanding of the work towards Christian unity.

I never liked the idea of practicing theology as an exercise in calling out those who don’t get it, or emphasizing those who aren’t in the club. My experience with fellow Christians in grad school was, unfortunately, often just such an exercise. Hoping to be aspiring apologists, I believe, I witnessed many well-intentioned Christians from various denominations in the DC area try to poke holes in one another’s theology and in one another’s traditions. These discussions – most of which were outside the classroom – always seemed to leave participants frustrated and drained. If we know a tree by its fruits, I was hopeful that I could find another tree.

I’ve always felt like a peacemaker. I feel more at home finding ways to describe similarities than confronting difference. More at home highlighting ways our differences complement each other rather than ways they separate us. I’m learning that the term for this is “receptive ecumenism.”

I felt the Holy Spirit create in me a deep desire to construct conversations that ran counter to the apologetics I heard in DC. While apologetics is a praiseworthy field, the movement of the Spirit doesn’t seem to reside in apologetics the way it did in the early centuries of the Church. The days of sorting out heretical positions have yielded, in my view, to a new age in which the Spirit beckons us to stop weeding, lest we uproot the entire garden.

I moved from DC to Boston in 2014, the time I began to write my doctoral dissertation. Although my major area up until this point was theology of God (mainly Trinitarian theology), I felt a strong move within myself pulling me toward ecumenism. As much as I loved pouring over the various views that theologians asked us to consider about who and what God is, I felt the Spirit telling me, “You’ve spent so much time trying to understand me, but do you understand you?” By “you,” in this case, I felt God meant “the entire Christian Church.” I spent years of my life discussing various understandings of God with other Christians, but I realized the conclusions didn’t matter if they divided Christians rather than united them. If our Christian theology draws us further from, instead of closer to, the maxim “they’ll know we are Christians by our love,” then it may be theology, but it isn’t all that Christian.

My dissertation seemed to pour out of me when I approached it as a reconciling tool rather than yet another exercise in making distinctions that divide. After graduating, I turned much of my paper into articles and a book. The Spirit seems to be working in the hearts of so many people I’ve encountered, because I’ve been invited to speak on my topic – mainly Anglican-Lutheran dialogues and their ecumenical successes in the US, Canada, and Northern Europe – in Louisiana, Minneapolis, Boston, and hopefully more. I know that our hearts are hungry for God, and if anyone is finding something attractive in my work, it isn’t of me; rather, it’s the Spirit of love that is of God, and I’m fortunate enough to be tapping into it as an ecumenist. That’s what people are attracted to, and I find that the more I open myself to it, the more opportunities keep springing up for me to do ecumenical work.

Elizabeth giving a talk at her parish (Holy Family Parish) on ecumenism

Poking holes in one another’s theologies is easy; what is difficult is looking at someone who thinks about God in a completely different way than I do and finding a way to see its loveliness. We are all unlovely in some way; yet, Christ died for all of us. What I’m learning in my work as an ecumenist is that the heart of Christian theology is to love the unlovely as Christ does, loving it into loveliness: “My song is love unknown; my saviors love to me. Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be.” We are all unlovely in some way, yet wholly lovable. The same is true for our theologies. This may sound like a watered down version of merely feel-good extractions from the cross of Christ; it is, in fact, the cross itself.

I’m attempting to argue this point as a theologian and scholar. I’m continually working to adopt it as a way of life, as well. I’m thankful to those in my ecumenical cohort and to Unite Boston for helping me move towards that goal.

Elizabeth is participating in the ACT 3 Network Missional Ecumenism cohort here in Boston this spring, along with a number of other local clergy

Mar 21 2018

CityRuach: Where the Love of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) and Jewish Life Unite

This week, Joe Miterko, graduate of Berklee College of Music and Talbot School of Theology, explains the importance of our Jewish heritage as Christians. He is a key leader at CityRuach, a new intentional Believing community in Brighton with Messianic Jewish Followers of Yeshua (Jesus). Read below to learn from our Messianic brothers and sisters about the roots of Judaism within Christianity.

The secret is out! Almost everyone knows about Jesus’ Jewishness. But have you considered:

…that His Twelve Disciples were all Jewish?
…that His later Followers were also Jewish? In fact, did you know His brother James’ real name is Jacob according to the Greek?
…that His mother Mary was really named Miriam, also 100% Jewish?
…that Peter and John still prayed at the Temple according to Jewish customs after His Ascension into Heaven (see Acts 3:1)?
…that the New Testament was written primarily as a book by Jewish people for Jewish people? It’s so Jewish!

As a result, when someone asks, ‘Can you be Jewish and believe in Jesus at the same time?” the answer is a confident and hearty “Yes!” This is what CityRuach is all about. (Ruach, pronounced Roo-ahk, in Hebrew means “Spirit”).

CityRuach is a new ministry based in the Boston area, desiring to promote an authentic encounter where the love of Messiah Yeshua (Hebrew name for Jesus – literally meaning “Salvation”) and Jewish life unite. In short, Messianic Judaism is defined as Jewish people who believe that Jesus-Yeshua is the promised Jewish Messiah. We are building a Messianic Jewish presence in Boston as a safe space where all people can come, no matter what.

Many people move to Boston and have a hard time being away from family. In a completely new environment, finding new friends in an unfamiliar city can be challenging. Also, for college students, constant stresses and pressures of projects, papers, and academia can be daunting. We want to be a place where people can come and be supported with a warm, Yeshua-centered community. For Messianic Jewish college students within the Boston area, we will be a familiar face for their home practices. For Yeshua-Believers in the Church, we serve as a place where they can explore their Jewish heritage and faith more. And for non-Yeshua believing Jewish people, we provide a safe place where their questions can be answered and views can be expressed.

Jewish Life and Yeshua Faith go hand-in-hand. Through Shabbat (Sabbath) dinners, Holiday events, Bible Studies, Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) initiatives, fun social gatherings in the city, and much more, we are trying to build a vibrant atmosphere where the gospel can be heard and people can feel at home.

Shabbat (Sabbath) Dinner at the Ruach House

Some of our members made Challah (traditional egg bread) during our recent bread baking activity.

At the end of the evening, we broke bread together in the spirit of Acts 2:42.

Our ministry is birthed out of Congregation Ruach Israel in Needham. a longstanding Messianic Jewish Congregation (founded and established in 1979). For the average college student, it is a schlep (long way) to get out to the suburbs, with little to no public transportation, so we are taking the congregation to them as a satellite campus! Our home base is the Ruach House, a communal house located in Brighton, where our residents are the lead coordinators of the CityRuach team. Residents are also covenant members of the Synagogue and in good standing with Ruach Israel leadership.

We welcome non-Jewish people to come and see what we are about. Jesus was Jewish. As stated, He lived as a Jew and died as a Jew. By having those from the nations participating with us, we see Kingdom realities break loose. The prophet Isaiah not only says, “So all nations will flow to it (The House of the Lord)” (Is. 2:2) in the Last Days, but he also says, “For My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations” (Is. 56:7). Jesus is One Man Israel and is the Light to the Nations. By joining with us, you can understand these realities in a deeper way.

Additionally, one of our team members can come present a Jewish Roots seminar for your Church or small group, such as Messiah in the Passover, Healing Prayer: A Jewish Approach, Messiah in the Fall Feasts, etc. It is important to remember that we are one body in Messiah and that Jews and Christians need to work together (Ephesians 2:11-22).

We encourage you to connect with us! If you are simply curious about what we do, have a question about modern Messianic Judaism, want to have one of our team members speak at your congregation or small group, or just want to discuss more, please send a note to cityruach@gmail.com or connect with us on our CityRuach Facebook page. We would love to help and collaborate with you! Yeshua simply said “Come and See” (John 1:39), so come and experience a new light to the Jewish people in Boston for Messiah’s glory!

Joe Miterko is a graduate of Berklee College of Music (B.M. Contemporary Writing & Production) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div Jewish Studies). Born and raised in Connecticut, Joe is passionate about music, travel, and much more!

Sep 09 2017

Turning God’s Mic Up in Boston

“I had hit rock bottom, but Jesus wasn’t done with me yet.”

Erich Clark, our guest blogger this week, attends First Presbyterian Church in Ipswich and was on the logistics team to help set up the stage for our worship night in August. Erich writes about the significance of the worship night in his own spiritual journey of faith, and the power of God to transform hearts and lives, both personally and corporately.

I was the Assistant Sound Tech for the UniteBoston Worship Night on the Boston Common. During sound check and rehearsal with the Worship Team, I felt my past and present collide. To understand that, I need to tell you my story.

I’ve set up a lot of stages for a lot of bands.

I get there early, go over the plan, run the cables, note the channel numbers, wait for the musicians to arrive, sound-check, and start the show.

The last time I sound-checked in Boston, my life was collapsing. I worked for a heavy metal band from Rhode Island, and we had finally made it to Massachusetts. It was an important opportunity, but by the time the musicians were plugged in and ready, I was so drunk and stoned that the club’s in-house sound guy had to take over completely.

That was my pattern: set up, sneak off for some drugs, come back and drink until the night became a blur. The band had kept me on until that point only because I promised them that I would stay sober until after each gig. But I was out of control, and that was my last gig with them. At the end of the night, they told me never to contact them again.

I drove home drunk that night to an apartment where I was soon to be evicted. I’d spent all the money I earned (and a large sum I had borrowed) on my chemicals. I was soon to be fired another countless time. Then my car died, abandoned and spewing thick black smoke on the highway during a drug run. It was all over; my life was a write off, the end of the line, my rock bottom.

But Jesus wasn’t done with me yet. I checked into a Christian sober house, Place of Promise, because it was the only one that would take me. That’s where I gave my life to Jesus, for whatever limited use He could get out of me. It was the only thing I had left.

When I graduated from Place of Promise, I found a work-for-rent-position at First Presbyterian Church in Ipswich. They knew about my past, but they accepted me with open arms. They have become my family, supporting me in a myriad of ways as my life has healed.

I started running sound for the church, grateful to use my skills in a positive way. I’ve worked with the Middle School youth group for the last decade and passed on my sound skills to several young people.

One of my trainees was Benjamin Hills, a pastor’s son I’d met when he was 8. He’s a young man now, attending Gordon College, and the Head Sound Technician for the recent UniteBoston worship night on the Boston Common. Ben invited me on as his assistant, and I was intrigued by the prospect.

Benjamin Hills and Erich Clark working the sound board at the worship night.

On August 26th I found myself setting up a stage right in the center of Boston. I was checking connections and helping the UniteBoston worship team to arrange themselves and set levels. I was appreciating the quality band, the professional stage, the beautiful weather, the picturesque Boston Common. As I looked around at those musicians and volunteers and technicians lending their skills to the concert, it struck me:

This is God’s concert. He’s playing right in the heart of our capital city, shouting out Grace, love, hope, and healing. The God I serve took this useless shell of a man and made him whole, happy, and useful. If He can heal me, I know that He can heal the children of this wounded city.

Let’s turn His mic up.

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